Horningsham

infobox UK place
country = England
official_name= Horningsham
population= 418 [http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?item=Horningsham]
shire_district= West Wiltshire
shire_county = Wiltshire
region= South West England
constituency_westminster= Westbury
post_town= Warminster
postcode_district = BA12 7xx
postcode_area= BA
dial_code= +44 (0)1985
os_grid_reference= ST808414
latitude= 51.1716
longitude= -2.2754

Horningsham is a small Wiltshire village forming part of the Longleat Estate and lying on the Wiltshire/Somerset border between Warminster and Frome.It has a peculiar form lying somwehere between a classic dispersed settlement and a nucleated village.It lies within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The village has the "P's identified by Country Life (magazine) as essential to a successful village: a pub, a post office, a place of worship, a primary school and public transport (although limited [cite web |url=http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/longleat-200605.pdf|title= Wilts County Council|accessdate=2007-09-18] ). It also has 3 less essential elements: a village hall, a large country house and a Safari Park.

History

describes the village as very small, being occupied by one cottager and four small holders. The name ‘Horninges-ham’ means ‘Horning’s homestead’ in Old English. The personal name probably comes from the uncomplimentary noun ‘hornung’ meaning ‘bastard’. For more information, see List of generic forms in British place names.
Close to the parish boundary on the road to Frome are the remains of Woodhouse Castle. In the 17th century it was owned by the Cavalier Arundel family and consequently attacked during the English Civil War. The damage was so severe that it was impossible to return to the castle when peace was restored. The family moved into Horningsham and built themselves a fine manor house below the church.
The parish changed hands several times before the Thynnes purchased it for the second time in 1716. The Vernon family, who held it during the 12th century, were the founders of the village church. The Stantors then held it for the next 200 years, selling to Sir John Thynne c. 1550. After the Civil War the manor was in the possession of the Arundels. Sir John Thynne (Longleat’s builder) had already increased the size of the parish by buying more land. His descendant Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath was very interested in forestry, and engaged Capability Brown to plant large plantations of beech and pine. Gradually forestry and farming were established as the two main sources of employment. The situation did not change until the late 20th century, when tourism took over [cite web |url=http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom.php?id=121|title= Wilts County Council - History|accessdate=2007-09-18] .

Church & Chapel

It has two places of worship, both of ancient origin. First, the parish church was founded in the 12th century but has been virtually rebuilt twice in 1783 and 1843. Secondly, a Congregational Church Chapel, known as the Old Meeting House. The Chapel was built in 1556. It was used by the Scotsmen employed by Sir John Thynne to help build Longleat House. The claim that this is the oldest Free Church in England is unsubstantiated, but it is believed to be the oldest still in use for worship [cite web |url= http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/WIL/Horningsham/index.htm |title= Church records are available on GENUKI|accessdate=2007-09-18] .

Primary School

The small but popular primary school has a complement of 60-70 pupils. Although small, the school has enjoyed sporting success in the Wiltshire Youth Games.

The Bath Arms

The village pub, "The Bath Arms", is on The Common. Built in the 17th century it became a public house in 1732 when it was called "The New Inn". It later changed to the "Lord Weymouth Arms" and then the "Marquess of Bath’s Arms". In 1850 this was one of four pubs in the village, as well as an off-licence.

Local government and MP

Horningsham elects a parish council. Most local government services are provided by West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council, both of whom have their offices in nearby Trowbridge. The village is represented in Parliament by the MP for Westbury, Andrew Murrison and in Wiltshire County Council by Fleur de Rhé-Philipe.

Community activities

Horningsham has a flourishing cricket team with a junior and senior team. Adult volunteers maintain a successful Teenage Club.
In 2007 Horningsham became the "Best Kept Village" in West Wiltshire.
Every year and usually on the second sunday in June, Lord Bath opens a well-attended village fete.

Geology and Geography

The village lies atop middle chalk [cite web |url= http://www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk/pdfs/maps/geology.pdf|title= CCW AONB|accessdate=2007-09-18] and Warminster greensand [cite web |url= http://www.wiltsgeology.org.uk/|title= Wiltshire Geology|accessdate=2007-09-18] .The stream Redford Water rises in the village. It eventually runs into the River Frome. The centre of the village is at 162 metres above sea level.

Horningsham in the news

* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/20/nspeed20.xml 85mph tractor blunder]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/06/24/nbath24.xml Ex-tutor fights Lord Bath rent rise]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/06/28/nwolf28.xml Man who cried wolf is breeder of the pack]
* [http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/leisure/entertainments/display.var.1422708.0.art_trail_winds_through_valley.php Art trail winds through valley]

ee also

*List of places in Wiltshire
*List of civil parishes in Wiltshire
Longleat House

References

External links

* [http://www.longleat.co.uk/ Longleat]
* [http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/villages/longleat/index.jsp Center Parcs, Longleat Forest]
* [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=126199 OFSTED Report on the Primary School]
* [http://www.footstepsphotos.co.uk/Wiltshire/wil0036f.jpgCongregational Chapel] * [http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/wiltshire/horningsham/photos/horningsham_H487007.htm Cottages in 1955]
* [http://www.batharms.co.uk/ The Bath Arms ]
* [http://www.endemoluk.com/?q=node/60&tid=4 Television programme "Animal Park" (filmed at Longleat and in Horningsham)]
geocompass
hub = Horningsham
type= ex
NN = Corsley Heath
NE = Warminster
EE = Crockerton
SE = Longbridge Deverill
SS = Maiden Bradley
SW = Witham Friary
WW = Tytherington
NW = Frome